Is your home safe? These are the items thieves may target

1. Cash and jewellery

Cash and jewellery are small, easy to conceal, and have immediate resale value. Thieves often head straight to the main bedroom first, where most people keep these valuables.

Protect cash and jewellery by avoiding storing large sums of money or jewellery in drawers or jewellery boxes.

Try investing in a small, fireproof safe that’s securely bolted to the floor or hidden in an unexpected spot.

2. Electronics

Laptops, tablets, gaming consoles and even smart home devices are frequently targeted because they can be quickly resold. Thieves often look for electronics near windows or visible from outside.

Protect electronics by keeping them out of plain sight and use tracking software (such as Apple’s Find My or Google’s Find My Device).

Try engraving or labelling your devices as this could also deter resale.

3. Personal identification and documents

Passports, financial and legal documents are incredibly valuable for identity theft. These documents contain sensitive personal information that can be used to commit identity fraud, access accounts, or apply for credit in your name, often without you realising until significant damage has been done.

Protect personal identification and documents by storing sensitive paperwork in a locked safe or filing cabinet.

Try keeping digital copies in encrypted cloud storage to increase security.

4. Keys

Keys are small to carry and easy to take, and are often picked up from obvious places such as kitchen benches, entryway tables, key hooks near the front door or through open windows.

Thieves may also target keys left in vehicles or sheds, as access to a key can allow them to return later or gain entry to cars, garages and storage areas. In some cases, stolen keys can be copied, increasing the risk of repeat theft.

Protect keys by keeping them out of sight and away from windows and doors at home. Leave spare car and home keys with trusted neighbours or friends instead of hiding them in locations outside of your home. Know what all the keys you carry are for and only carry what you need.

Try reviewing and updating your locks if keys are lost or stolen, and consider using digital or smart locks that allow access codes to be changed without replacing physical keys.

5. Credit cards and small valuables

Wallets, watches and other small valuables are attractive to thieves because they are easy to take and can be used or sold almost immediately.

Credit cards may be used for fraudulent purchases, while watches and small valuables can often be resold quickly for cash. These items could be targeted if left in visible or easily accessible places.

Protect credit cards and small valuables by never leaving wallets, purses or valuables on entryway tables or countertops. Make a habit of keeping them out of sight and out of reach.

Try setting up transaction alerts with your bank and regularly reviewing your accounts so any unauthorised activity can be identified and reported quickly.

6. Power tools

Power tools are prime targets due to their high value and resale potential. They're often taken from garages, sheds or directly from tradesmen's cars and utes.

Protect power tools by storing them in a locked cabinet or shed when not in use, or sight.

Try engraving or labelling your power tools to minimise their resale value and make them less appealing to thieves.

7. Prescription medications

Medications may be targeted because they are easy to conceal and may be taken opportunistically from bathrooms, bedside tables or the kitchen cupboard.

Stolen medications can pose serious health risks if taken without medical supervision and may also leave household members without access to essential treatment.

Protect prescription medications by keeping medications in a lockable cabinet and out of reach from guests or service workers.

8. Home deliveries

Opportunistic thieves often target packages that are left in plain view at the front door or in the letter box. Visible deliveries can signal that no one is home, making them an easy and low risk target for theft.

Protect home deliveries by ensuring parcels are left out of sight or that someone is home to collect them.

Try installing a parcel box or secure delivery container, or have a conversation with your delivery driver about leaving parcels in a discreet location. Australia Post also offers parcel collection, which allows deliveries to be redirected to your local post office for collection at a time that suits you.

Don’t wait until it’s too late

Knowing what thieves may look for is the first step. The next step is making sure your home isn’t an easy target.

Read our article on practical security tips that can help protect your home from thieves, including everything from smart locks to neighbourhood watch strategies, and check out the Tas Police residential home safety tips, including their downloadable checklist.

A safer home starts with awareness and action. By securing the items thieves may target and taking a few simple precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of break-ins.

Staying alert and reporting suspicious behaviour through Crime Stoppers also plays an important role in protecting not just your home, but your wider community.